Bud Mayo

Volunteer promoter of lacrosse in northern Virginia, pioneering sponsor/coach at Lake Braddock HS, University of Tennessee and UVA graduate, innovative developer of organized lacrosse programs for youth and parents, president of the Potomac Chapter, dedicated volunteer for youth lacrosse tournaments and clinics.

After Alexandria native Claude “Bud” Mayo graduated from the University of Tennessee, he found his calling in education. He started by teaching history in the northern Virginia public school system, where he also took on the responsibility of coaching freshman football at Lake Braddock High School. At the time, there was little to no lacrosse being played on the northern Virginia landscape.

Several of his gridiron players approached Bud to start a lacrosse team. Despite a limited exposure to the sport in college, Bud responded by taking a leap of faith: giving up his football coaching duties and stipend, and fully engaging as a lacrosse volunteer. He became the creator, organizer, sponsor and coach of the first Lake Braddock lacrosse teams. It was the beginning of something special. As a result of Bud’s involvement, this program became the lead model for the rest of the schools in the county.

Bud’s role had no limits. As the proverbial chief cook and bottle washer, he would recruit new players, organize practices, make up the schedule, secure field space, raise funds, purchase equipment, promote game attendance, handle press contacts, coordinate transportation, provide for equipment storage, and coach on the sidelines. In his spare time, he held down a full-time teaching position. His efforts bore fruit in 1978, when the Bruins defeated Episcopal high school, the first victory in the region by a public school over an established private school lacrosse program.

Even when Bud relinquished his head coaching duties, he wasn’t finished with his lacrosse involvements. He assisted with the creation of boys’ lacrosse teams at St. Stephens Episcopal School in Alexandria and later at Trinity Christian School in Fairfax. In order to increase visibility and recognition of youth lacrosse in the region, Bud created, organized, promoted and implemented Virginia Lacrosse Day, a one-day, all-day, one site showcase of youth teams competing just for fun. He also conducted numerous instructional clinics and created a “Lacrosse 101” course for parents. Bud has also created and directed both the St. Stephens and Commonwealth youth lacrosse camps.

Bud has been active in other capacities as well. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, and is a past president of the Northern Virginia Secondary School Administration Association and the Northern Virginia Youth Services Coalition.

Bud is currently the assistant principal of Pimmit Hills alternative high school. He resides in Burke, VA with his spouse Sue. They have two sons, Aaron and Hunt, a former attackman and team captain at Lake Braddock HS.